The director of Madurai airport, S. Senthil Valavan, saidon Monday that the airport is conducting a detailed inquiry into a post-weddingjoy ride by a marriage party onboard a SpiceJet aircraft that off from theMadurai International Airport on Sunday.
Ayoung couple from Madurai decided to have a wedding mid-air as Tamil Nadu hasgone under lockdown due to the spike in coronavirus cases. The couple booked aBoeing 737 plane to Bengaluru. Their families, relatives and guests all werepresent as the couple tied the knot mid-air.
However,the incident is under investigation over the violation of Covid safety rules.The aviation regulator has asked for a report on the incident, whereas the crewof the SpiceJet flight has been derostered for inquiry.
Thebride, groom and their families will also face action as the crew saidpassengers avoided following Covid rules despite repeated requests.
Thevideos and pictures of the wedding are going around on social media. In one ofthe viral videos, the groom can be seen tying Mangalsutra on the bride, and inanother, the cameraman can be heard asking them to smile. The crowd is clearlyvisible in the visuals.
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Peoplecan be seen enjoying the wedding without following any Covid protocol. Most ofthem are without face masks and no social distancing is followed.
RegulatorDGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has launched an inquiry into thematter and has asked for a full report from the airline and airport authority.Meanwhile, SpiceJet has been asked to file a complaint against the people fornot following Covid-appropriate behavior.
Also,in a statement, SpiceJet has said that the flight was booked by a travel agenton May 23 and it was claimed to be a post-wedding joyride.
“Theclient was clearly briefed on Covid guidelines to be followed and denied the permissionfor any activity to be performed on the board. The agent and the guestpassengers were briefed in detail, both in writing as well as verbally, onsocial distancing and safety norms to be followed as per Covid guideline bothat the airport and on board the aircraft throughout the journey,” saidSpiceJet.
Theprivate airline also claimed that the passengers were repeatedly reminded ofguidelines. A SpiceJet spokesperson said the airline is taking appropriateaction.